2023/2024
Mastering Soft Skills through English How to Think Critically and Adapt to Changes
Category 'Best Course for Career Development'
Type:
Optional course
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
1-3 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
52
Course Syllabus
Abstract
In order to survive in today’s “info-loaded” and diversified world, one is required to think critically and break free from the familiar routines to adapt to new circumstances. Sadly, no one is born with these skills. Yet, they can be developed and, luckily, we know how to do that! This semester we offer a brand-new online course «Soft skills through English: how to think critically and adapt to changes» that will help you sharpen their critical thinking skills and exercise adaptability. Throughout the course, you will discuss some of the most controversial topics such as the death penalty and ethical norms in video games, to name but a few. You will watch thought-provoking documentaries and gripping episodes of award-winning TV series. You will learn how to structure a persuasive argument to win debates, how to select reliable and credible information sources, and how to adjust to an unexpectedly changed situation. On top of that, you will definitely have a whale of a time!
Learning Objectives
- This course is aimed at helping students develop their critical thinking skills and adaptability in an academic environment through English.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Apply argumentation and critical thinking to real world problems and issues
- Assess a situation from various perspectives; evaluate alternative solutions; and choose the optimal response
- Disengage from an unattainable goal and re-engage in a feasible, alternative goal
- Evaluate the reliability and credibility of information sources; the relevance of information itself
- Identify and then establish cause-effect relations in arguments
- Identify types of argument; cases of bias within arguments
- Override the inclination to adopt a familiar pattern
- Reject conclusions that may seem believable but are not logical
- Select persuasive and logically correct argumentation
- Structure an effective argument (claim, reason, evidence) in both written and oral forms
Assessment Elements
- Written assessmentWritten assessment includes an argument and a review (in the form of an op-ed).
- Oral assessmentOral assessment includes a dialogue (debate) and a presentation.
- Independent workIndependent work includes various types of activities that students do at home. To receive full marks, home assignments must be fully completed and submitted on time. A home assignment partially completed and/or submitted after the due date is not assessed. If an assignment does not have a due date, students must submit it before the beginning of a class. To submit a home assignment, a student does not need to be present in class. The final grade is calculated based on a 10-point scale. A student is awarded 1 point for each assignment that is fully completed and submitted on time.
- Final assessmentThe final assessment includes a dialogue (in the form of a debate).
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 3rd module0.3 * Final assessment + 0.25 * Independent work + 0.2 * Oral assessment + 0.25 * Written assessment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills : Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. [N.p.]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1525114
- Mastering English through Global Debate, , 2019
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Critical thinking : a concise guide, Bowell, T., 2003